Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris University

1124 South State Street MCO 231 Big Rapids, Michigan 49307-2738 Phone: 231-591-3700 Fax: 231-591-2394 Email: olsonc@ferris.edu http://www.ferris.edu

The Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris University (MCO) located in Big Rapids, is one of the most personalized optometry schools due to its small size, averaging about 36 students per academic year. The optometry college offers a Doctor of Optometry degree and has several residency options for post-graduate training with Veterans Administration medical facilities in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Fort Wayne, Indiana and the school’s in-house Pediatric Residency.

With its tiny class size, the Michigan College of Optometry is very competitive to be accepted into. The 2011-2012 entering class consisted of 378 applicants, with 38 students accepted into the program. Out of those 38, only 9 non-resident applicants were enrolled into the optometry program. The mean overall GPA and OAT scores were 3.50 and 317.

Tuition

The tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year averaged out to $23,493 for residents and $35,260 for non-residents per year. For the 4-year Doctor of Optometry program this comes out to $93,972 for residents and $141,040 for non-residents for just tuition. Please check the school for updated and accurate tuition and fees.

Education Requirements

The Michigan College of Optometry does not require applicants to have a Bachelors degree, but gives preference to those who have completed a 4-year undergraduate program that meets pre-optometry curriculum. Applicants should have a minimum of 3 years of undergraduate work, equaling 90 semester credit hours, with courses that meet the school’s pre-optometry courses including basics like Biology, General Physics, Calculus, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and others. Bachelor degree holders should have 1 year of English/Composition, 9 semester credit hours of Humanities, and 6 semester credit hours in Behavioral Science not including general psychology, which is required already.

Admissions Checklist

• School of Optometry Application - OptomCAS
• Essay/Personal Statement
• Official academic transcripts
• OAT Scores
• Letters of recommendation - at least one has to be from an optometrist

2011 Entering Class Profile

• Total Applications: 397
• # of Residents Applied: 69
• # of Non-residents Applied:328
• Number of Applicants Accepted: 63
• # of Residents Accepted: 37
• # of Non-residents Accepted:26
• Number of Students Enrolled: 38
• # of Enrolled with Bachelors degree: 74
• # of Males Enrolled: 13
• # of Females Enrolled: 25
• # of States Represented: 7
• Overall Average GPA: 3.50
• Average OAT AA Score: 312
• Average OAT Total Science Score: 317
• Residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $23493
• Non-residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $35260
• Offers Advanced Standing: No

National Board of Examiners for Optometry Pass Rates

• Part I
• 2011: 88.88%
• 2010: 96.96%
• 2009: 94.6%

• Part II
• 2011:
• 2010: 100%
• 2009: 97.37%

• Part III
• 2011:
• 2010: 100%
• 2009: 100%

Michigan College of Optometry Residency

Michigan College of Optometry Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses - Big Rapids, MI

Michigan College of Optometry Residency in Pediatric Optometry - Big Rapids, MI

Affiliated Optometric Residency

Battle Creek VA Residency in Ocular Disease - Battle Creek, MI

Grand Rapids VA Out-Patient Clinic Residency in Ocular Disease - Grand Rapids, MI

TLC Eye Care of Michigan Residency in Ocular Disease - Jackson, MI

John D. Dingell VA Residency in Ocular Disease - Detroit, MI

VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Residency in Ocular Disease and Primary Care - Ft. Wayne, IN

Henry Ford Optim Eyes Residency in Primary Care - West Bloomfield, MI